In Wednesday’s Bristol City press conference, assistant manager Dean Holden was full of praise for young left-back, Lloyd Kelly.

Kelly was substituted at half-time during Bristol City’s 1-0 defeat at home to Stoke City on the weekend and after City produced a spirited second-half display which should have earned them at least a point, plenty of fans have suggested that Chelsea loanee Jay DaSilva deserves a start.

Holden was quick to point out the outstanding breakthrough few months that Kelly has had, though.

“Lloyd’s [Kelly] had a fantastic past six months, twelve months probably.” he said.

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“He’s gone away and trained with England’s national team in front of Gareth Southgate which is an incredible achievement for him.

“It just goes to show the qualities that he’s got and his attitude first and foremost and his application to his work every day.”

Holden went on to add that while taking off Kelly on Saturday helped produce a better second half display, he praised the mentality of Kelly and backed the academy graduate to take it in his stride.

Lloyd Kelly of Bristol City prior to kick off (Image: Ryan Hiscott/JMP)

“On the weekend, we decided to change it up down that left-hand-side. We made two changes, which ultimately allowed us to get back into the game in the second half.

“Every experience as a young player, whether it’s a positive one, or at the time maybe perceived as a negative one, if you look at it in the right way, which Lloyd [Kelly] will, then it will always be a positive – there’s no doubt about that.” Holden added.

There’s no denying Kelly’s potential, but given how the Robins played considerably better in the second-half on Saturday, it’s certainly given the management team a selection headache.